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ARTICLE: HUMC PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON GREEN ROOF DESIGN

(June 14, 2012) – To help planners, landscape architects, and real estate and construction professionals interested in sustainable design better understand green roofs and their many benefits, the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association (NJAPA) hosted an educational presentation on Wednesday, May 23 at the John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC).

The presentation addressed green roof planning, design and construction, and provided attendees with an opportunity to tour the center’s new 4,500-square-foot green roof garden and learn about its purpose and the many benefits it provides to the hospital and its patients. The tour was followed by a session dealing with physical design, regulatory issues, urban heat island and neighborhood impacts, storm water reduction methods, and tips on roof garden planning.

Using its Eco Earth Design method of utilizing only the most eco-friendly materials and practices, Midland Park-based R&S Landscaping completed the cancer center’s extensive oasis in two phases. With the goal of providing patients with easy access to the outdoors and a place to sit among greenery, in addition to serving as a respite for visiting families and friends to spend time while their loved ones are receiving treatment, R&S installed drought-tolerant green roof modules, decorative planters, shrubs, and sitting areas as well as a demonstration vegetable garden.

Speakers at the presentation included R&S Landscaping President Robert Schucker; Alex Dambach, who serves as the Northeast Area Representative for the NJAPA, and is the Director of Policy, Planning, and Development for the City of East Orange; and John McDonough, LA, PP, AICP, a licensed professional planner and landscape architect in the State of New Jersey.

Schucker is a Green Roofs For Healthy Cities-certified Green Roof Professional and one of New Jersey’s foremost experts on green roof design and installation. Using the proprietary Eco Earth Design method, R&S Landscaping provides superior quality landscape design to property owners seeking cutting-edge approaches to sustainability. For more than 26 years, R&S Landscaping has offered environmentally responsible, high-end service to residential, public and commercial properties in the areas of design/build, grounds maintenance, irrigation, lighting and plant health care.

In his role with NJAPA, Dambach helps the organization support the needs of the state’s most urbanized areas, and he also works to establish professional development and educational opportunities for planners to improve their skills.

McDonough has been a land use consultant for over 25 years and has been recognized as an expert in land use matters before hundreds of boards and commissions throughout the State of New Jersey and in Superior Courts. In his capacity as a private consultant, McDonough has designed or planned thousands of projects in all types of land use genres, including Yogi Berra Baseball Stadium and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

“Green roofs offer property owners a plethora of benefits that can readily be seen at the JTCC installation,” said Schucker. “We hope this informative event opened the eyes of attendees to all of the possible applications for green roof gardens at other sites.”

R&S is comprised of a highly qualified and diverse group of passionate professionals dedicated to creating and building outdoor spaces that are sensitive to the specific site, architecture, environment and lifestyle of its clients. R&S aims to provide and deliver outstanding aftercare and responsive customer service while striving to be attentive to the environment by using ecologically responsible products and practices.

The company is recognized as innovators and leading experts in its industry as well as affiliated industries through its efforts to educate local communities and increase public awareness as it relates to protecting the environment and making the world a healthier and safer place. For more information, visit www.rscape.com.